More than 90-thousand solar panels are now generating power for near 13-thousand homes in Canterbury. 

New Zealand's largest solar farm has opened at Lauriston on the Canterbury Plains. 

The 93 hectare plant is a joint venture between Genesis Energy and FRV Australia. 

Genesis Energy Chief Executive Malcolm Johns told Mike Hosking New Zealand will still need a coal reserve in the future. 

He says there will be periods of time where the wind isn't blowing or the rain hasn't come, and we will need to lean on thermal generation. 

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